25-04-2025
Motorist who led gardaí on a chase to the border convicted of dangerous driving
Defendant had 61 previous convictions
A motorist who led Gardaí on a chase to the border during which he overtook at speed and ignored road signs has been convicted of five counts of dangerous driving.
Daniel O'Riordan (37), Mullacrew, Louth Village, contested the charges, testifying that he was not behind the wheel, nor even in the area where the pursuit commenced.
His girlfriend also gave evidence that he was with her the whole time.
Dundalk District Court heard that Gardaí began a surveillance operation at Jenkinstown Post Office at 8.30am on December 2, 2024, to apprehend Mr O'Riordan who had eight outstanding bench warrants.
Gda Ian McDonnell said that he was in an unmarked car and at 4.27pm he spotted a silver Volkswagen Passat arrive. Mr O'Riordan, whom he knew, was the sole occupant.
This car went to the rear of the building, and he got out with his colleague Gda Darragh Prior.
The Passat took off at high speed from a different exit and drove away from the post office.
Gda McDonnell continued that they returned to the patrol car and pursued the other vehicle in the direction of the main Dundalk Road, activating the blue lights and siren.
The Passat entered that road at speed without stopping at the junction and turned for Dundalk.
The defendant overtook other traffic in a dangerous manner before taking a hard right onto a local road just beyond the entrance to Ballymascanlon Hotel.
He took up the centre of the road and went straight through Thistle Cross onto another L road without consideration for other traffic.
Gda McDonnell said the car continued at high speed, taking up the centre of the road. It overtook on a bend under a railway bridge and crossed into Northern Ireland.
The witness said that he could see it driving dangerously along Edenappa Road. The PSNI was alerted.
The pursuit was over 8.6km and lasted approximately eight minutes.
On December 10 at 7.10am, the court heard, Mr O'Riordan was arrested with the assistance of the Garda Armed Support Unit at a residence in Mullacrew.
Gda McDonnell said the offending vehicle was parked tight to the rear of the dwelling so it couldn't be seen from the road.
Gda Prior told how the car drove at speed 'in and out through oncoming traffic' and was occupying the middle of the road. Daniel O'Riordan was the sole occupant.
Kim Leggett, a social care worker, said that she arrived with Daniel at a friend's house in Dunleer at 1pm on December 2 and they were there until at least 4pm.
They left for Culloville to pick up his wages and to get fuel for the house and then went to Mullacrew.
Rebecca Floyd testified that Kim called over with her boyfriend Daniel around 1pm and stayed until around 4pm. Kim was driving her car.
Daniel O'Riordan said they were a good while in Rebecca's house, three or four hours. He wasn't sure on the time they left.
He was staying with Kim in Louth Village. He didn't go to Bellurgan that day.
They went to a yard in Culloville to collect his wages. He got his wages on a Monday. He could get a wages' slip if required.
The accused continued that he was in Bellurgan the next day. He gets the Dole in Jenkinstown Post Office.
'I wasn't driving. I wasn't even in Jenkinstown. It's not my car. I don't know who has access to it,' Mr O'Riordan replied to Inspector Martina Gallagher.
Judge Nicola Andrews said that she was satisfied that the State had proved its case.
The defendant was convicted of dangerous driving at Jenkinstown Post Office, Bellurgan, Ballymascanlon, Thistle Cross and Carrickaneena.
There were 61 previous convictions, 27 under the Road Traffic Act, including for dangerous driving causing death for which a five-year sentence was imposed in February 2011.
Barrister Eoghan Fagan said that Mr O'Riordan was making some progress in trying to gain employment. He was doing a 360 Excavator Cert having completed Safe Pass.
He was off drugs and engaging with Turas Counselling Service.
Adjourning the case to June 4 for a probation report and community service assessment, Judge Andrews told the defendant the choice was in or out of custody, it was entirely in his control.
If not suitable for community service, the judge indicated consecutive six-month sentences on two of the charges.
'If you meet me before then (June 4), all bets are off,' Judge Andrews said.
Legal aid was granted and the court certified for counsel.
